Abstract: Systems and methods of processing items. Items in a distribution network or process may be scanned at every handling point in the distribution network, and each scan is recorded in a central repository. The scan information can be used to generate real-time access to data, analytical tools, predictive tools, and tracking reports.

Abstract: Various embodiments can include apparatus or methods to operate and provide detection packages. In various embodiments, detection packages may include an illuminating device, a photodetector, and an optical coupling component disposed between the illuminating device and the photodetector, where the optical coupling component can be structured to enhance the coupling of light from the illuminating device to the photodetector. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: A method and system for generating a location identifier using a location code and a grid coordinate. The location code corresponds to a defined geographical area, such as a postal code or an area code. A grid coordinate can be determined based on destination location information, such as an address, a GPS-determined position, or other reference to a specific physical location. The location identifier is combined with the location code to generate a location identifier, which can be encoded in a computer readable format and placed on items for use in a distribution network. The location identifier can be used to facilitate domestic or international distribution of items using a common format or addressing scheme. The domestic and foreign distribution networks read and interpret location identifiers in order to deliver items.

Abstract: A transaction card includes a card body that may comprise a card body comprising a ceramic material, the card body including a primary surface and a first mating surface. A card backer comprises a metallic material and includes a secondary surface and a second mating surface. A portion of the first mating surface and a portion of the second mating surface are coupled together.

Abstract: The present invention provides screening methods which may be regarded as in vitro or ex vivo methods of interrogating the immune system to understand what viral antigens are “seen” and responded to by T cells of the immune systems during viral infection. The screening methods further link in vitro or ex vivo responses to progression of infection in subjects.

Abstract: Presented are methods and systems for collecting marine seismic data. The collected seismic data can be low frequency (e.g., less than 10 Hz) or it can be a full seismic bandwidth (1-200 Hz) depending on if the low frequency tuned sources and tuned receivers are combined with conventional sources and receivers. The low frequency sources can be towed or they can be autonomous and positioned in the survey area by tether, drifting or self-propelled. The tuned low frequency receivers are towed at a depth greater than conventional receivers and the sources can be fired independently or simultaneously.

Abstract: A method of processing a silicon substrate can include etching the silicon substrate with a first etchant having a first concentration and etching with a second etchant having a second concentration. In an embodiment, the second concentration of the second etchant can be greater than the first concentration of the first etchant. In one embodiment, the first etchant can be a different type of etchant than the second etchant. In an embodiment, the first and second etchant can be the same type of etchant. In some embodiments the silicon substrate can be cleaned with a first cleaning solution to remove contaminants from the silicon substrate prior to etching with the first etchant. In an embodiment, the silicon substrate can be cleaned with a second cleaning solution after etching the silicon substrate with a second etchant.

Abstract: A disposable microbe-collecting carrier cartridge and a carrier treating apparatus which efficiently convert microbes collected on a carrier into a solution and prevent variations in the amount of retrieval of microbes upon concentration on a filter are provided. A cartridge formed of an upper lid having a plurality of through holes, a container in an inverted-cone shape having both of a liquid storage sink unit having a filter at the bottom and an air suction path, and a support base for setting up a thermoplastic carrier, and a carrier treating apparatus formed of a dispensing nozzle for liquid supply, a liquid supply mechanism, a liquid heating mechanism, and a suction pump for filtration are prepared. Warm water is supplied onto the filter set up on a bottom surface of the inverted-cone-shaped. The contact with the warm water causes the carrier to be solated filtered through the filter.

Abstract: Various embodiments disclosed relate to acidizing compositions including an ampholyte polymer. Various embodiments provide a method of treating a subterranean formation. The method can include placing in a subterranean formation an ampholyte polymer including an ethylene repeating unit including a —C(O)NH2 group, an ethylene repeating unit including an —S(O)2OR1 group, and an ethylene repeating unit including an —N+R23X? group. At each occurrence, R1 can be independently selected from the group consisting of —H and a counterion. At each occurrence, R2 can be independently substituted or unsubstituted (C1-C20)hydrocarbyl. At each occurrence, X? can be independently a counterion.

Abstract: A method and system for identifying demand in a transportation system. A boarding count model is determined based upon passenger arrival information, and a geographic and time-specific generalized boarding model is determined based upon the boarding count model as well as information related to a plurality of stops on a route in the transportation system. For each of the plurality of stops, an approximated uniform arrival model is determined based upon the generalized arrival model and a time period between arriving vehicles at a specific stop, an instantaneous demand model is determined based upon the uniform arrival model, and a probability of no demand model is determined based upon the uniform arrival model. A report including the instantaneous demand and the probability of no demand determined can be generated. Based upon the report, various operational parameters for the transportation system can be manually or automatically adjusted.

Abstract: A system and method for remediation, curing concerns, and transferring information associated with declined transactions is disclosed. The present disclosure generally relates to electronic commerce, and more particularly, to a system and method of validation and efficiency associated with electronic commerce.

Abstract: An electronic smoking article includes a liquid supply region including liquid material and a heater-wick element operable to wick liquid material and heat the liquid material to a temperature sufficient to vaporize the liquid material and form an aerosol. The heater-wick element is formed of a carbon or graphite foam.

Abstract: Methods of configuring a surface of a component exposed to fluid flow are disclosed. A first method includes forming a plurality of protrusions on a surface, the plurality of protrusions separated by a plurality of channels, and depositing a coating on the surface to increase a coefficient of friction of the surface, the coating formed of a diamond-like carbon and having a wrinkled texture. A second method includes forming a plurality of protrusions on a surface, the plurality of protrusions separated by a plurality of channels, and forming a plurality of nanotubes on the surface.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to systems and methods for generating covering arrays. By processing parameters and corresponding values pertaining to an application under test (AUT), the system generates a first set of arrays, wherein elements in the first set are unique from each other. A second set of arrays is generated by identifying two or more arrays from the first set. Each array in the second set may include pairwise interacting elements that are unique to each other. A third set of arrays is formed by interchanging pairwise interacting elements across the second set of arrays. Unique pairwise interacting elements are interchanged across set of arrays to eliminate from duplicating pairwise interacting elements. Combining two or more arrays from the third set of arrays results in an optimized covering array, which is then used for generating optimized test designs for at least one AUT.

Abstract: Systems and methods for downhole signal filtering. A method for downhole signal filtering may comprise defining outliers as isolated values; providing thresholds; determining the outliers from a buffer; computing a difference in slowness between adjacent pairs of values; comparing the adjacent pairs of values to other values in a same window; determining if the adjacent pairs of values vary more than the threshold; assigning a 2D flag array a value of 0 if the adjacent pairs of values vary more than the threshold; and computing a 75% percentile distribution for each adjacent pair of values to determine if each adjacent pair of values are the outliers.

Abstract: Methods for diverting treatment fluids to less permeable zones of subterranean formations using a water swellable agent that can degrade at high temperatures are provided. In one embodiment, the method may comprise introducing a water swellable agent into or adjacent to a permeable zone of a subterranean formation; introducing an aqueous solution into the subterranean formation to contact the water swellable agent; allowing the water swellable agent to swell when contacted by the aqueous solution; introducing a treatment fluid into the subterranean formation, wherein the water swellable agent diverts the treatment fluid away from the permeable zone; and allowing the water swellable agent to thermally degrade.

Abstract: The amount of traffic information included in traffic message frames broadcast to users, for example via a Transport Protocol Experts Group (TPEG) frame, can be reduced by using configurable bounding areas for different road classes (types). A broadcast area associated with a primary bounding area can be divided into sub-bounding areas. Rather than broadcasting information for all roads of all classes in the broadcast area, each road class is associated with a particular bounding area. Traffic information pertaining to roads located within a bounding area that have road classifications matching bounding area road classifications is included in a TPEG frame. For example, if a class 4 road is located within a sub-bounding area associated only with road classifications 0-3, information about that particular road can be excluded from the broadcast traffic information, even if it is located within the primary bounding area.

Abstract: A transaction card includes a card body that may comprise a card body comprising a ceramic material, the card body including a primary surface and a first mating surface. A card backer comprises a metallic material and includes a secondary surface and a second mating surface. A portion of the first mating surface and a portion of the second mating surface are coupled together.

Abstract: This disclosure relates generally to biomedical signal processing, and more particularly to method and system for physiological parameter derivation from pulsating signals with reduced error. In this method, pulsating signals are extracted, spurious perturbations in the extracted pulsating signals are removed for smoothening, local minima points in the smoothened pulsating signal are derived, systolic maxima point between two derived local minima are derived, most probable pulse duration and most probable peak-to-peak distance are derived, dicrotic minima is removed while ensuring that every dicrotic minima is preceded by a systolic maxima point and followed by a beat start point of said systolic maxima, diastolic peak is derived while ensuring that every dicrotic maxima is preceded by a diastolic notch followed by next beat start point of that maxima, and physiological parameters are derived from the derived local minima points, systolic maxima points, dicrotic notch and diastolic peak.